About
The genus Verbascum, comprising annuals, biennials, perennials, and sub-shrubs. Most are tall and statuesque with rosettes or stems of typically woolly or hairy, often grey or silver leaves and tall spikes or candelabra-like panicles of five-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers, usually in shades of yellow, white, pink, or purple. Bold garden plants for sunny borders and dry gardens.
About the genus
Verbascum can be annuals, biennials, perennials or subshrubs mostly with hairy leaves and 5-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden
Native toEurope to C Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poor, alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun. A drought-tolerant plant, it grows large and needs support in fertile soils (see staking perennials)
PruningRemove faded flower spikes
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or early summer, or by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mullein moth caterpillars and figwort weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews